Girls: End of Summer Top 10

For all intents and purposes, AAU and showcases are done for the summer. We’re into August, a new school year is upon us and before you know it, I’ll be trying to decide on a preview story.

I’ve seen a few teams play this summer and heard a lot of things from a lot of people about a slew of other teams. With that said, I present to you a fairly educated guess at a very early and unofficial preseason top 10.

I’m not sure if I even have to say this or not, but it can’t hurt to remind you folks that this is for fun and to get people talking more than anything. A lot can change between now and December so don’t lose it if you don’t agree. As always, your opinions are welcomed in the comments section below.

1. Neptune: With Shakena Richardson, Syessence Davis and Chyna Golden back for their senior seasons, the Scarlet Fliers are an easy choice for this spot. The preseason pick to win the TOC, they have a legitimate shot at an undefeated season if things fall right. Circle January 30 and a matchup with Chicag heavyweigh Whitney Young on the calendar.

2. St. John Vianney: Kates, O’Reilly, Repoli, Zimmerman and their 85 wins are back for one more run after getting back to the TOC final last season. Look for sophomore Lyndsay Rowe to crack the starting five with Kat Egan as the top reserve. Zoe Otterman is likely to see the floor as are at least two of head coach Dawn Karpell’s four freshmen. Remember the name Katie Beriont, a 5-foot-11 lefty, athletic freshman forward.

3. St. Rose: Head coach Joe Roman will have an outstanding starting five of Kasey Chambers, Diana Malanga, Nicole Donohue, RBC transfer Morgan Barry and 6-foot-3 high-major recruit Sami Clark. The bench will be the big question early, but that starting unit is pretty solid to start. Can the Purple Roses finally break through in the postseason? The last time we saw them, Alexx Hall’s potential game-winning trey at Trenton Catholic in a Non-Public South B semifinal went in, out, in and out again.

4. Red Bank Catholic: There is a whole lot of experience coming back for head coach Joe Montano and it all starts with Quinnipiac recruit Samantha Guastella. Seniors Kasey Hobbie and Mary Kates Byrnes have also seen plenty of floor time throughout their careers. Add to that junior guards Morgan Arnott and Jackie Cajigal plus whatever stud freshmen are potentially walking in the door and you’re looking at 20-plus wins.

5. Rumson-Fair Haven: I asked around recently and no one could tell me the last time head coach George Sourlis started five seniors. It’s Ashley Cooper’s team this season and she’ll be joined by Victoria Lesko, Ellie Wilbur and the Isaacs twins, Nicole and Stephanie. The Isaacs had a big summer and can score in bunches. Depth past the starting five may be an issue at the start.

6. Middletown South: I’m pretty confident in the top five, but this is where it gets tricky as several teams could be in this spot. We’ll give Tom Brennan and Co. the respect here. They never have the most talent, but you wake up the first week of March, they are close to or at 20 wins and are deep into the state tournament. Niagara recruit Meghan McGuinness will lead the way after averaging 16.6 points per game as a junior.

7. Point Boro: Sophomore Kelly Hughes was the floor general and the playmaker, while senior Kelsey Haycook was the glue for a Panthers team that went 23-6 and won an underrated South Jersey Group III bracket. Everyone is back including the rest of the sophomore class of Kelly Malleck, Lauren Hughes and Jess Macchi. The two matchups with Manasquan on Jan. 4 and Jan. 26 in the newly formed Class C Central should be fierce.

8. Manasquan: Junior scoring sensation Michaela Mabrey returns and we’re told help is on the way for a team that went 10-11 and just 4-10 in always brutal Class A Central. The move to Class C Central should be a relief and a confidence booster in the form of more wins heading to the postseason. In a South Jersey Group II bracket that has been bad the last few seasons, we think Mabrey will be the best player in that bracket, which should make the Warriors at least a threat.

9. Jackson Memorial: High-major recruit Christa Evans, senior G/F Kim Clemmer and sophomore gunner Hannah Missry, who hit a Shore Conference-best 70 treys last season, return, but the graduation of guards Dana Costello and Caitlyn Testa will be a problem. Even so, the Jaguars will likely be installed as the preseason favorite in Class A South.

10. Holmdel: Two things are clear when talking about the Hornets. Sophomore guard Tara Inmann is a player and head coach Bob Ward knows what he’s doing. If some viable help emerges for Inmann, look for Holmdel to be tough and possibly make a charge in Central Jersey Group III, as it did a year ago.

Comments

About Josh Newman

Josh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004, covering a variety of high school beats in addition to college sports and the New York Jets. A 2004 graduate of Springfield College, he is currently the beat reporter for Monmouth University.

13 Responses to Girls: End of Summer Top 10

Keep in mind, I saw SJV play down in Maryland a couple weeks back and it was in July. It’s not like I saw an early December scrimmage where Karpell is really trying to get her rotation in order.

With that said, I feel confident saying Beriont will get on the floor and possibly Jackie Gallagher in terms of freshmen. At the same time, when Kates is on the bench, Karpell can look to Angelica Esposito. I don’t have it in front of me, but I think she’s going to be a junior.

That’s not to say the other two freshmen won’t get playing time, we’ll just have to wait and see. Again, I’m basing this on two fairly sloppy summer tournament games that were played in a brutally muggy gym.

Hey Josh I’m glad the season is getting closer. I agree with you, other than the top five teams. It’s probably too soon to get serious about the top ten. It doesn’t mean we can’t start throwing things out there. First of all, I noticed Colts Neck didn’t make the top ten. Secondly, I’m really looking forward to seeing what Point Boro does this year. They really handelled themselves well against “B-Level” type teams. I wonder if they can compete against the best teams this year. My late friend Rodney Copeland used to coach this team in AAU. He advised me to watch out for these girls back when they were in the sixth grade. What about Central Regional? I know some of their girls were involved with a lot of AAU BBall this year. Do you think they see a big improvement this year?

At #3: That’s all we’re trying to do here. Have some fun and get people talking. I think Central will see an improvement. Everyone is back from last season and they have a very manageable division now with Point Boro moving over to Class C Central.

I didn’t hear about Gabrielle Valmon transferring to Toms River South. She would have been better off transferring to Toms River North. North definitely has the better coaching staff and might actually be able to use her to her potential. South girls basketball has the talent many times but does not know what to do with it

At #8: You’re right about Clemmer being a senior. That’s my bad, don’t know why I thought she graduated already. Even so, Costello and Testa being gone puts them in some trouble. I still think they’re the best Class A South team on paper right now.

About this Blog

For the latest in Shore Conference Basketball news, analysis, commentary and live updates.

About the Author

Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004, covering a variety of high school beats in addition to college sports and the New York Jets. A 2004 graduate of Springfield College, he is currently the beat reporter for Monmouth University.E-mail Josh

Sherlon ChristieSherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press. He joined the APP in the fall of 2004. He grew up in Massachusetts, has a BA in Journalism from Northeastern University's School of Journalism. He is also the secretary of the National Association of Black Journalists.E-mail Sherlon